Promoter to compete with UFC

It wasn't UFC, but it was organized and exciting enough for the approximately 2,200 fans - even the Heat's Shaquille O'Neal - to stick around until the end.

On Saturday, ex-boxer Crawford Grimsley put on a 10-card event at Nova Southeastern University in hopes of building his event, Cage Fighting Championships, into something that can parallel that of the popular Ultimate Fighting Championships.

The event featured high-energy matchups and some of the better local fighters.

"It's handled well - people are having fun. I love it," said Martin Sbangler, who works for a catering company. Five fighters came in from out of the area to compete in the event, including Clavin Martin, who came from Louisiana.

Martin, 27, defeated Jeffrey La Santa of New York in 34 seconds. Martin landed a left hook that knocked La Santa onto the mat in the featherweight match (145 pounds). Patrick Mikesz, a welterweight from the Czech Republic, lost to fan favorite Luis Palomino. Palomino, who trains with American Top Team, scored a knockout in 1:10.

In other matches, Daniel Perez, a bouncer from Miami, completely dominated his superheavyweight match against Will Mora (North Carolina). Perez, a former wrestler at Eastern Illinois University, had Mora on the ground for most of the match, and won his debut by unanimous decision.

Nicholas Tortora, a former offensive lineman and captain for Olympic Heights, won his middleweight bout against Stan Darna (Sarasota) by tap-out.

Tulio Quintanilla, 24, also won his debut. Quintanilla, a mortgage broker from Miami, won by technical knockout over Sadot Nazario (Lakewood) in the first round of the featherweight match. Quintanilla ended the fight in 25 seconds when he landed a solid right hook. Marcos Da Matta of ATT also won his match.

Grimsley won't keep CFC local, because he wants to have a following. His next event is planned for Tampa or Orlando.

"We want to build it enough to do a champion vs. champion thing," Grimsley said. "Move over UFC, there's another dog in town," he said.